How Much Do You Know About Gulf World Marine Park?

With a seemingly endless choice of family-oriented activities to choose from in Panama City Beach, it can be hard to decide which adventure will make for the most memorable day on your vacation. If you are looking for an all day adventure, filled with lots of hands-on activities and exciting entertainment, Gulf World might be just what the vacation doctor ordered!

Conveniently located just 2 miles East, or a short 5 minute drive of the Sandpiper Beacon Beach Resort, Gulf World offers all the ingredients for a day that the whole family will enjoy. Doors open daily at 9 a.m. rain or shine. Gulf World offers a seemingly endless variety of animal shows including sea lions, shark feedings, talking tropical birds, and not forgetting their famous dolphin show. Most of the shows have interactive elements to them, in addition to the wide array of hands-on exhibits, such as their stingray petting pool.

One of the few places in the US where you can swim with dolphins, be sure to get a kiss, shake hands, and hold on tight for a one of a kind dolphin ride! The penguin exhibit at Gulf World is guaranteed to make everyone smile, but be sure to keep all those tiny fingers and toes behind the railing at the alligator exhibit! You can even fulfill grandma’s dream of getting her picture taken with a boa constrictor at their creepy yet exhilarating reptile show!

Just some of the activities and shows on offer at Gulf World

Are you looking for something a little slower? You can enjoy a relaxing walk, literally stopping to smell the flowers in the tropical gardens, where Gulf World’s night time magic shows take place at 7:30.

With so much to do, it’s easy to work up an appetite, so why not stop and enjoy lunch at the Gulf World Grille? Or, if you want to try one of the great restaurants along the beach, just get your hand stamped, allowing you to leave and return at any point during the day.

But what if the thing you desire most is just a quiet day without the little ones? You are, after all, on vacation… Gulf World has you covered with their Dolphin Day Camp… Let the kids learn how to become dolphin trainers for the day while you enjoy relaxing and working on your tan with a refreshing tropical drink at hand. Leave your children in safe hands, as they learn how to train, feed, and care for the dolphins in the park. They will have the time of their lives… completely unaware that they are actually learning about marine life in the Gulf and around the World!

If you’re visiting Panama City Beach with children, you won’t want to miss the entertaining experiences Gulf World has been offering since 1969. Gulf World’s numerous exhibits and shows are even entertaining enough to keep even the most fussy teenager happy. This really is a great way for families of all ages to come and enjoy a fun and educational day. Being able to drop the kids off while mom and dad have some alone time is priceless, and the hand-stamp system which allows you to leave, and return throughout the day really adds value.

About the Sandpiper Beacon

Known as the "FUN Place!" the Sandpiper Beacon Beach Resort is a family and kid friendly beachfront hotel, located directly on the sugar white sand of Panama City Beach. Offering LOTS of FUN activities, amenities, and entertainment to all guests, many never leave the resort during their stay!